The Pittsburgh Steelers are still working their way through the biggest decision of this offseason, which is who will be the team's starting quarterback in 2025? Every option has been floated around as a possibility from trading for Trevor Lawrence, to potentially targeting one in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. Steeler Nation doesn't have a consensus on what their preferred option would be, and it doesn't appear the Steelers do either.
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence prepares to hand the ball off during a 2022 regular season matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL.
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson would be the two favorites based on them both being on the roster last season, but there is no clear indication that the Steelers want either one of the them back to be the starter. Fields offers a high upside choice given his physical tools, granted inconsistent play through four years in the NFL, and Wilson offers the veteran presence that we know some within the Steelers organization prefer.
There is one veteran quarterback that is a free agent this offseason that hasn't been garnering much talk as an option, and considering his time spent in a Steelers uniform already, he probably should be. That would be Mason Rudolph, who spent last year with the Tennessee Titans after spending his first six NFL seasons with the Steelers.
During his weekly mailbag, insider Mark Kaboly was asked if neither Fields or Wilson end up returning next season, who should the Steelers sign? The question also stated the desire for the choice to hopefully not be Aaron Rodgers, but that possibility does remain.
"Aaron Rodgers. Ha," exclaimed Kaboly jokingly. "He wouldn’t be at the top of my list, but he would be on it. If it isn’t going to be Wilson or Fields, I would make a play, are you ready for this, Mason Rudolph (it won't happen). I am not interested in Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston, Zach Wilson, Daniel Jones, or Sam Darnold. I guess what I am saying is that they better sign Wilson or Fields."
Many wouldn't disagree with Kaboly that there are not any names out there in free agency that truly excite anyone or are clear options to make the Steelers contenders for another Super Bowl. But, Rudolph probably garners even less excitement than most of those names, given his length of time in Pittsburgh and the lack of starts and/or success during that time.
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Former Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during practice.
Rudolph's final stretch of games in Pittsburgh, which included a playoff start against the Buffalo Bills at the end of the 2023 season, is likely the most evidence that Rudolph could have success in a Steelers uniform again and should be considered for a reunion. He started three games at the end of the 2023 regular season, and during that stretch, he completed 74.7% of his passes, threw for 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions, and had a 120.4 passer rating. Most importantly, the team was 3-0 during that stretch and put up two 30-point performances that represented the two highest offensive outputs that season.
In the playoffs Rudolph didn't get the win, but he did play decent throwing for 229 yards and having 2 touchdowns while throwing 1 interception. By no means anything that jumps off the page, but still a level of success that makes you wonder if there is something more there.
Steelers May Look Towards Another One-Year Fix As Opposed To Long-Term Solution
With there being little confidence behind many of the options available to the Steelers this offseason, which includes both veterans available via free agency or a trade and rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers may again be looking for short term solutions in preparation for the 2026 offseason. The reason for this is, the 2026 NFL Draft is expected to have a top group of quarterbacks available to teams in search of a new signal-caller.
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Texas QB Arch Manning.
The primary candidate is Arch Manning, who some speculate may be the Steelers' target based on recent speculated interest in Daniel Jones. He is potentially a generational talent and has the family lineage to support Steelers' interest as well. Other names such as Nico Iamaleava and Drew Allar are also top options next offseason who could have been potentially the top option in the 2025 draft class as well. Hopefully the Steelers aren't looking a year out to fix the team, but if they are, at least there are some top options for them.
Do you think the Steelers should bring Mason Rudolph back in? Let us know in the comments below!
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